Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net 1680-7367 1680-7375 10 5 2010 10.5194/acpd-10-13337-2010 http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/10/13337/2010/ http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/10/13337/2010/acpd-10-13337-2010.html http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/10/13337/2010/acpd-10-13337-2010.pdf 13337 13372 2010-05-26 The effects of clouds and aerosols on net ecosystem CO₂ exchange over semi-arid Loess Plateau of Northwest China X. Jing J. Huang G. Wang K. Higuchi J. Bi Y. Sun H. Yu T. Wang College of Atmospheric Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China Adaptation and Impacts Division, Environment Canada, Toronto, Canada The impacts of clouds and atmospheric aerosols on the terrestrial carbon cycle at semi-arid Loess Plateau in Northwest China are investigated, by using the observation data obtained at the SACOL (Semi-Arid Climate and Environment Observatory of Lanzhou University) site. Daytime (solar elevation angles of larger than 50°) NEE of CO₂ obtained during the midgrowing season (July–August) are analyzed with respect to variations in the diffuse radiation, cloud cover and aerosol optical depth (AOD). Results show a significant impact by clouds and aerosols on the CO₂ uptake by the grassland (with smaller LAI values) located in a semi-arid region, quite different from areas covered by forests and crops. The light saturation levels in canopy are lower, with a value of about 434.8 W m⁻². Thus, under overcast conditions of optically thick clouds, the CO₂ uptake increases with increasing clearness index, and a maximum CO₂ uptake and light use efficiency of vegetation occur with the clearness index of about 0.37 and lower air temperature. Under other sky conditions the CO₂ uptake decreases with the cloudiness but the light use efficiency is enhanced, due to increase in the fraction of diffuse PAR. 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